Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RaZ]

Raz that sounds like an awesome find, I would love to be that close to the lake, even cold lake Huron. ..... So beautiful, I don't have an RV though, just tent. your RV plug could be for a generator, Which you might need up there, and you can buy an adapter for the outlet.....
Will have to check out the St. Park, we usually go to lake Mich. are there any public, inland lakes near buy?

I think you may have found paradise, cooperative city officials, wow, you have earned it


Beautifull Hen,!!!!!

It is a totally awesome find. Walking distance to the bay (private beach, no less), walk to the state park (bike ride is easier. Side by side is more fun). Great neighbors who have showed me what mushrooms are good to eat. They look out for each other. And share. They share everything...their garden harvest; their beer; their help; and their stories. The stories are the Best! This is what a neighborhood is supposed to be like.

There is a local lake on the state land. Rush Lake is back through the woods. The building guy takes his kids there to fish. He showed me a picture of the large-mouth bass they caught last weekend. That fish was huge! I'm going to need a boat. LOL

Overall, I am completely happy to be there. It's not even about the chickens anymore. It really never was about the poultry. It was always about how people relate to each other.

This place I've found is all about that and I want to share that with all of you folk. I'd like to share what I've found with all (most) BYC friends. You are more than welcome to come visit for an hour, a day or a weekend. I'd be happy to show you my new world.

PS, Moving more stuff this week. Any helpers?

 

[bigmrg74]

This is great!
The two pieces allow for adjusting the openings size, which I have found to be crucial.
I have sliding 'tiny doors' on my 'chick wall' that splits the coop for brooding and integration.

Well, given that its all held together by a couple of zip ties, I'm pretty sure I could resize the holes if I needed to.

 

[Folly's place]

Raz, so glad that you found such a good place, and finally nice neighbors!
We just returned from two weeks driving out west, all the way to Yellowstone. Wonderful!!! We've never been there; it was about time, and a great trip. Good weather, in between snow events. Lucky! Mary

 

[Lelanae]

I’m near the greater Holland area, from a little blip on the map that barely anyone has ever heard of.
But if you’re about an hour south of Ludington I’m assuming that would be near Grand Haven? Not too far. Don’t have any pullets at the moment, just some young Roos. But I could always hatch some chicks out next summer if you’re out this way, just send me a message next time you plan a trip and I’ll try to work it out.

Cool ! Thank you! We always head out to Michigan in July or August!

 

[Outdoorlover]

Hello everyone
This will be my first winter with chickens and I'm so nervous!!
I can only hope that the coop we built is good enough for Michigan's weather, even if it won't be heated, but there is still so much more I haven't figured out yet
1 How do I keep water from freezing?
2 How do I keep bedding dry when we have snow on the ground, and we have to walk in and out?
3 Do I let chickens out every day no matter what the weather?
4 Do I need to add to their diet during the colder months?

You guys that have kept chickens successfully for years, could you please pass on some advises so I can do the same?

This are pics of the coop we built with the cedar posts we got from Sam

 

[aart]

Wow what a beautiful coop!!
Would love to see the inside!

1 How do I keep water from freezing?
2 How do I keep bedding dry when we have snow on the ground, and we have to walk in and out?
3 Do I let chickens out every day no matter what the weather?
4 Do I need to add to their diet during the colder months?

1. This is what I use, it works great!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-heated-waterer-with-horizontal-nipples.67256/

2. I keep the path and coop porch shoveled and have space inside shed but out of coop to knock snow off boots that are fairly smooth bottomed so don't clog with snow.

3. I do most days, open pop door and let them decide unless it's really nasty.
Might be a bit concerned about your roof run gathering snow, tho it looks pretty sturdy would be good to be able to clear it off.

4. I don't add anything except grow some grain fodder as a green treat once in a while.

 

[Outdoorlover]

Wow what a beautiful coop!!
Would love to see the inside!



1. This is what I use, it works great!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-heated-waterer-with-horizontal-nipples.67256/

2. I keep the path and coop porch shoveled and have space inside shed but out of coop to knock snow off boots that are fairly smooth bottomed so don't clog with snow.

3. I do most days, open pop door and let them decide unless it's really nasty.
Might be a bit concerned about your roof run gathering snow, tho it looks pretty sturdy would be good to be able to clear it off.

4. I don't add anything except grow some grain fodder as a green treat once in a while.

Thank you so much! My lunch break's over I'll be back to post more pics after work

 

[rachelsflock]

I just added khaki ducks and muscovy to the chicken flock to keep the water from freezing over. Now I'm hooked on muscovy with a side of english orpingtons, three khakis, and two pilgrim geese.

...I'm sure you can see how well this worked. No more freezing water!

 

[rachelsflock]

...although now we need like 100X as much.

 

[Outdoorlover]

@aart you asked to see the inside...this is what it looks like, we still need to put molding around the windows
The side walls are identical (those windows do not open), front and back walls are identical other than the doors (one has screen door, and the the other has a small chicken door)